At Orchard Early Learning Centre, children are free to play outside in sunny, rainy, windy and chilly conditions. See why this approach is so beneficial (and fun) for under-fives.   

BY HEJIRA CONVERY, KINDICARE

APRIL 24, 2024

It’s often said that there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing, and although Early Childhood providers in Denmark, Sweden and New Zealand have been embracing all weather play for ages, there are also centres in Australia that expose children to the elements for the good of their health and development. 

Orchard Early Learning Centre is one amazing Early Childhood provider that encourages year-round, all weather play for all ages.  

At Orchard’s Kirrawee, St Ives and Austral centres in Sydney, children spend around 60% of each day outside, and to see how this all weather approach works, we’ve spoken with Si Ning Koh, Orchard ELC’s Manager of Pedagogy, Practice and Continuous Improvements.  

 

Koh explains that all weather play is an integral part of Orchard ELC’s philosophy because of its benefits for children, and this kind of play is integrated into Orchard’s everyday program. 

One of the most obvious upsides of all weather play is that it’s fun. 

Children love playing outside on bright and bracing days, and experiencing different weather conditions also helps to develop their senses, bolster their immune system, connect them with nature, and give them a more nuanced understanding of the seasons and weather types.  

Koh says, “We find that conversations about weather become more meaningful because the children actually get to experience it,” and under-fives also get to know themselves better when they make decisions around activities and attire.  

Koh explains that all weather play also has a positive effect on the children’s behaviour.  

She says, “We do see that challenging behaviour improves with all weather play and children having large amounts of time outdoors in nature. This is because children have all those physical movements that are very consistent throughout the year. Instead of being fully indoors during rainy days and cold months, they can continue to move freely outside.”  

Free movement is a big part of Orchard ELC’s focus and philosophy, and all weather play also ties in with their RIE inspired approach, which places a high value on outdoor play and children’s independence.  

All weather play also ties in with Orchard’s advocacy for risky or adventurous play.  

They understand that having opportunities to engage in play that is challenging and somewhat risky is important for children’s development.  

And although the children might get damp or messy, the team know that the environment provides rich and unmissable learning experiences. For example, when under-fives splash in puddles, dance in the rain, and make mud pies. 

All weather play is carefully managed, of course.  

At Orchard ELC, children are always free to stay indoors if they like, and educators ensure there’s no hazard involved with the all weather play. 

Extreme weather conditions, such as haze, hail, severe wind and lightning will put a stop to children’s outdoor escapades. 

Thought also goes into the children's clothng.

Koh says, “If it’s raining, children will put on their raincoat and rainboots before playing outside, and during winter, children are encouraged to bring a winter jacket with a little hood so they can comfortably go out in the cold weather.” 

Orchard ELC also chooses its sites and designs its spaces carefully to support all weather play.  

There are generous outdoor areas with plenty of shade, and features like children’s vegetable and fruit gardens, orchards, worm farms and chicken coops encourage under-fives to be outside and engage with the environment by tending to plants and animals, even in cold weather.   

Koh says, “Our new Ryde centre and soon-to-be-opened Forestville centre both have dedicated outdoor classrooms that will teach young children about sustainability and environmental awareness.”  

Orchard ELC also has plenty of people on hand to support all weather play.  

Educators foster Nature Connection every day; and Koh says, “We have a large professional team that is passionate about our philosophy and helps to bring it to life. This includes, not only our educational team, but also our groundskeepers, sustainability officers, educational leaders, horticulturalist and landscape designer.” 

Orchard ELC also has a fantastic partnership with Trevor Laycock from Wildkids Australia.  

As part of Orchard’s all-inclusive curriculum (which includes incursions), Trevor provides fortnightly nature and sustainability education sessions for ages two and up.  

Koh says, “Trevor includes the weather in his curriculum, so if it’s autumn, he will do activities that build children’s awareness of the season. For example, an autumn leaf treasure hunt or a bush walk in nearby parks.” 

There are also regular yoga classes with Karma Kids and gardening sessions with Sadie the Gardening Lady.  

The team finds that some of the best all weather experiences at Orchard ELC just happen organically. 

One of Koh’s favourite moments was when a few children raced outside to taste the rain, then drew their representation of the taste on paper later, and she says all ages enjoy the all weather play.  

She explains that the babies really love to watch the trees, experiencing the wind blowing through the canopy, listening to the leaves rustling, and observing the movement of shadows; while water play is always a hit with the older children.  

Koh says, “The toddler- and preschool-aged children absolutely love making mud pies, and we have an outdoor mud kitchen set up where they can make magic nature potions with things like leaves and twigs.”  

She explains that, “Children also really love exploring puddles – jumping in and out of them, scooping the water, watching the water flow – and they are very interested in insects too.  

“What the groups notice is that different insects and birds will come to the centre in different seasons, and the children can see things that the adults are not seeing.” 

All of this is so good for little learners’ bodies and brains, and we can tell you that all weather play is just one of the special offerings at Orchard ELC.  

The team really do go above and beyond to deliver a rich, child-centric curriculum; and if you’re looking for early childhood education and care in Sydney, it’s definitely worth exploring Orchard ELC at Kirrawee, St Ives, Austral or their new centres opening in the next few weeks at Ryde, West Pennant Hills and Forestville. 

If these locations don’t work for you, it’s good to know that Orchard ELC has more centres opening next year – in Bradbury, Pymble, Box Hill, Moss Vale and Bowral – and in time, you’ll be able to tour these centres rain, hail or shine!